As ministry leaders, our lives are filled to the brim with people, events and the important work of advancing the Kingdom of God. It’s rewarding but difficult work. When we get home and find ourselves exhausted, we might ask: does work-life balance in ministry exist?

On today’s episode of the Think Orange Podcast, we’ll hear first from Carey Nieuwhof who has a perspective on balance that will challenge everything you’ve heard before. Then, Dave and Ashley talk with Frank Bealer about staying dialed-in to your passion. Lastly, we’ll hear from Doug Fields as he talks on the church’s celebration of busyness.

Featured Guest

CAREY NIEUWHOF

Carey Nieuwhof is the founding pastor of Connexus Church, a growing multi-campus church north of Toronto and strategic partner of North Point Community Church. Prior to starting Connexus, Carey served for 12 years in a mainline church, transitioning three small congregations into a single, rapidly growing church. Carey is the author of several best-selling books, including the Amazon #1 best-selling Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow. He is also the author of Leading Change Without Losing It and co-author of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Carey writes one of today’s most widely read Christian leadership blogs at CareyNieuwhof.com and hosts the top-rated Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, where he interviews some of today’s best leaders. He speaks to North American and global leaders about leadership, change and personal growth. He and his wife Toni live near Barrie, Ontario and have two sons.

DOUG FIELDS

Doug Fields is a communicator, author, & consultant. He is the Executive Director of HomeWord’s Center for Youth/Family at Azusa Pacific University, the co-founder of Downloadyouthministry.com, and the author of more than 50 books. More information about Doug is available at www.dougfields.com.

FRANK BEALER

Frank Bealer is executive director of Leadership Development at The reThink Group and the CEO of Phase Family Centers. Frank is the author of The Myth of Balance: Thriving in the Tension of Ministry, Work, and Life. Before joining Orange, he was family pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is driven to helping leaders develop to their full potential. Frank and his wife, Jess, have four children.

Ideas to Influence the Next Generation

1. Abandon Balance as Your Goal

If you’re aiming for a balanced life, maybe you’re aiming for the wrong thing.

You probably have dreams that you’d love to see realized, but you just don’t have the time. Too often, your ambition exceeds your current capacity. How do you create more capacity? Abandon balance as a goal.

Carey said that often times, people who find balance lose passion. This is why we should abandon balance and pursue passion instead. Balance has become more of a retreat than an advance. As a result, balance has become a synonym of mediocrity.

Stop chasing balance and give your all to your passion.

2. You can’t be passionate about all things at all times

Passion is important, but you can jump from passion to passion without letting the fire of it burn you out. Taking time for rest is vital.

Rest is the one commandment Christians brag about breaking. We follow the steps of Jesus but don’t follow the stops of Jesus.

3. We justify busyness by calling it a season

Busyness is a sign of brokenness. And in ministry, busy is the new normal.

We justify our busyness by calling it a season. But how long have you been in a busy season? Is it actually a season? Remember, if it doesn’t have a clear end, it’s not a season

Until we take responsibility for our busyness, we’ll continue to pursue balance and blame others when we can’t find it

Conversation Starters For Your Church

Do you think it’s more important to pursue balance or passion and why?

What top three things are you passionate about right now?

Is your current busyness is just a season, or chronic?

Your Hosts

DAVE ADAMSON

When he’s not working as a pastor at North Point Ministries in Atlanta, Dave is usually making his family cross their arms, roll their eyes, and tap their feet while he takes “just one more quick photo” on family outings. You’ll also often find him up to his neck in “Jewish stuff” as he researches the cultural context of Jesus for his daily Instagram devotions. Learn more about Dave at daveadamson.tv.

ASHLEY BOHINC

Ashley serves as the Director of Middle School Strategy at Orange and the USA Director of Carry 117. She has worked with students in public education, athletic and ministry settings for the last 12 years. She is most passionate about resourcing the local church, communicating on stage, developing leaders, working with students and world missions. In her downtime, you’ll find her watching Friends, cheering on the Cleveland Cavaliers, traveling, reading, or on one of her Fairytale Friday Adventures.